A two-time 20-plus goal scorer in the AHL, Boychuk, 23, hasn't yet been able to make the transition to the NHL. He has seven goals and 11 assists in 72 games with the Hurricanes, spread out over three seasons. In 37 games with the Charlotte Checkers this season, he had a team-high 16 goals and added 16 assists.

Boychuk is a very skilled player who is a great skater. A gifted forward who has had issues with consistency and pro level physical play.

Pittsburgh has been playing Tyler Kennedy and Eric Tangradi on a line with All-Stars Evgeni Malkin and James Neal, and it's not working. Kennedy has gone cold after a goals in the season opener, and Tangradi continues to struggle making the jump from the AHL himself; he's 6-4, 221 pounds and has done well enough on the fourth line, but has no points in five games so far this season.

Boychuk, at 5-10 and 180 pounds, isn't an ideal fit on the Malkin line, but neither are Kennedy or Tangradi. He could also play on the third line, with former teammate Brandon Sutter, another former Hurricanes first-rounder who the Penguins acquired in the offseason.

With defenseman Matt Niskanen on injured reserve, Pittsburgh doesn't need to make a roster move to accomodate Boychuk. If they did, Tangradi or center Dustin Jeffrey would be most likely to go.